By DARLA MCCAMMON
Director, Lakeland Art Association 

“Mother And Sister Of Artist”

PIERCETON — Today, women are admitted into the world of art much more readily than in older times, but the fact is, the number of men who achieve fame and recognition and are exhibited in museums still far exceeds the works of women. There have been some exceptional works by women, not to mention that recent DNA tests have attributed even the very oldest work in cave drawings to women.

The road for women, however, has had many potholes and only the most persistent and determined, and also fortunate, have been recognized in the past. It might be easier today, but there still exists a bias in some circles.

Berthe Morisot had some advantages in gaining recognition. She was born in France and her father was a high government official from a wealthy family. Her mother was a relative of Fragonard, a prolific artist. Wealthy families at this time provided art education for their daughters. Morisot thus was exposed to the Louvre gallery and taught to copy some of the magnificent works hanging there. She became a registered copyist and befriended many other students and teachers including Camille Corot, an excellent artist.

In 1864, when she was 23 years old, Morisot had two paintings accepted in the Salon de Paris and from that point received favorable notice of her work. A private dealer purchased 22 paintings and her career was launched.

A friendship developed with artist Edouard Manet who painted a striking work of Morisot in clothing mourning her father’s death. She and Manet became influences in each other’s style and work, having reciprocal suggestions and long-lasting effects. Morisot became involved with the painters who formed the impressionist group and encouraged Manet to join them. In 1874, Morisot married Manet’s brother, Eugene Manet.

Morisot worked smaller paintings than most artists of this age, but she was skilled in oil, watercolor, pastel and was even known to dabble in sculpture. Morisot was a staunch advocate of the plein air concept of painting and led others into this movement where work was done in the “open air.” Morisot worked with a relatively limited color palette but was considered by many to be a “virtuoso colorist.”

Morisot died in 1895 of pneumonia. Her work received the highest price to date in February 2013 when Christie’s auction sold her beautiful portrait of a young redhead in a straw hat and purple dress, titled “After Lunch” for $10.9 million.

Upcoming and Current Events:

• The Lisa Bemish exhibit opened at Warsaw City Hall Gallery on July 22. Visit 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
• Adult and children workshops always available. Call (574) 594-9950 for information.
• Brenda Stichter exhibit runs at LAA Sept. 3-26.
• Sept. 26 the Robert Hudson Fall Equinox exhibit will open. Contact his studio at roberthudson.com for information on attending.
• LAA is located at 107 N. First St., Pierceton, www.lakelandartassociation.org and on Facebook.  Contact your author/artist Darla at [email protected] with questions.